U.S. patent application number 11/540227 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-05 for method and device for test sample loading.
This patent application is currently assigned to Beckman Coulter, Inc.. Invention is credited to Brian D. Wilson.
Application Number | 20090035866 11/540227 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39271527 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090035866 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wilson; Brian D. |
February 5, 2009 |
Method and device for test sample loading
Abstract
An automated analyzer is configured to receive and analyze
samples provided to the automated analyzer in primary sample
containers. The automated analyzer comprises a sample retention
unit, at least one transport device, and at least one aspiration
device. The sample retention unit is configured to receive and
retain a plurality of sample retention vessels. The sample
retention unit may comprise a sample storage unit, an analytic
unit, or other processing unit within the automated analyzer that
retains a sample for some purpose. The transport device is
configured to receive a first primary sample container containing a
first sample and deliver the first primary sample container to the
sample retention unit as one of the plurality of sample retention
vessels. The aspiration device is configured to receive a second
sample from a second primary sample container and deliver the
second sample into one of the plurality of sample retention
vessels.
Inventors: |
Wilson; Brian D.; (Chaska,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP
Two Embarcadero Center, 8th Floor
San Francisco
CA
94111
US
|
Assignee: |
Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Fullerton
CA
|
Family ID: |
39271527 |
Appl. No.: |
11/540227 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
436/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 436/114998
20150115; G01N 35/1083 20130101; G01N 2035/00277 20130101; Y10T
436/114165 20150115; G01N 2035/1032 20130101; G01N 35/0099
20130101; Y10T 436/11 20150115; Y10T 436/2575 20150115; Y10T
436/113332 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
436/43 |
International
Class: |
G01N 35/00 20060101
G01N035/00 |
Claims
1-21. (canceled)
22. A method of preparing samples for analysis, the method
comprising: a) loading a plurality of primary sample containers
into an automated analyzer including a sample retention unit
configured to receive a plurality of sample retention vessels, each
of the plurality of primary sample containers containing a sample;
b) transferring a first primary sample container of the plurality
of primary sample containers into the sample retention unit; c)
aliguoting the sample from a second primary sample container of the
plurality of primary sample containers into at least one of the
plurality of sample retention vessels in the sample retention unit;
and d) processing the sample in the first primary sample container
and the sample aliquoted from the second primary sample
container.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of processing the
sample in the first primary sample container comprises the step of
removing an aliquot of the sample in the first primary sample
container.
24. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of processing the
sample from the second primary sample container comprises analyzing
the sample from the second primary sample container.
25. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of transferring the
first primary sample container and the step of aliquoting the
sample from the second primary sample container are performed at a
transfer station.
26. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of loading the
plurality of primary sample containers into the automated analyzer
comprises manually loading the plurality of primary sample
containers into a sample presentation unit and automatically
delivering the plurality of primary sample containers to a transfer
station within the automated analyzer.
27. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of loading the
plurality of primary sample containers comprises receiving at least
some of the plurality of primary sample containers from a
laboratory instrument housed separate from the automated
analyzer.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein the laboratory instrument
comprises a closed tube aliquotter.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of loading a plurality
of primary sample containers into the automated analyzer comprises
delivering a third primary sample container of the plurality of
primary sample containers from the automated analyzer to the closed
tube aliquotter and receiving the at least some of the plurality of
primary sample containers from the closed tube aliquotter, each of
the at least some of the plurality of primary sample containers
comprising an aliquot of the sample in the third primary sample
container.
30-33. (canceled)
34. The method of claim 22 wherein the automated analyzer
comprises: the sample retention unit; a transport device configured
to transfer the first primary sample container to the sample
retention unit; and an aspiration device configured to transfer the
sample from the second primary sample container into the at least
one of the plurality of sample retention vessels in the sample
retention unit.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein the automated analyzer further
comprises a sample presentation unit coupled to the sample
retention unit and a transfer station coupled to the sample
retention unit.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein the transport device is a first
transport device and wherein the automated analyzer comprises a
second transport device separated from the transfer station and is
configured to receive primary sample containers from the first
transport device.
37. The method of claim 34 wherein the transport device is a first
transport device and wherein the automated analyzer comprises a
second transport device configured to deliver primary sample
containers to the first transport device.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein the second transport device is
further configured to deliver primary sample containers from a
laboratory instrument housed separate from the automated
analyzer.
39. The method of claim 38 wherein the second transport device is
further configured to receive primary sample containers from the
laboratory instrument housed separate from the automated
analyzer.
40. The method of claim 34 wherein the transport device is part of
a gantry robot.
41. The method of claim 22 wherein the sample retention unit
comprises an analytic unit and a sample storage unit.
42. The method of claim 41 wherein the analytic unit includes at
least one of an incubator station, a wash station, and a read
station.
43. The method of claim 41 wherein the analytic unit comprises an
immunoassay system.
44. The method of claim 22 further comprising loading an empty
vessel into the automated analyzer and transferring the empty
vessel to a laboratory instrument housed separate from the
automated analyzer.
45. The method of claim 44 wherein the second laboratory instrument
comprises a closed tube aliquotter.
46. A method of preparing samples for analysis, the method
comprising: a) loading first and second containers containing first
and second samples into a first laboratory instrument including a
sample retention unit configured to receive a plurality of vessels;
b) aliquoting the first sample into a first vessel in the sample
retention unit; c) moving the second sample container into the
sample retention unit; and d) processing the aliquoted first sample
in the first vessel and the second sample in the second sample
container.
47. The method of claim 46 wherein the first laboratory instrument
comprises an analyzer.
48. The method of claim 46 wherein the step of processing the
aliquoted first sample and the second sample comprises performing
an analysis on at least one of the aliquoted first sample and the
second sample.
49. The method of claim 46 further comprising transferring the
first vessel containing the first sample to a second laboratory
instrument.
50. The method of claim 49 wherein the second laboratory instrument
comprises an aliquotter.
51. The method of claim 46 further comprising loading an empty
vessel into the first laboratory instrument and transferring the
empty vessel to a second laboratory instrument.
52. The method of claim 51 wherein the second laboratory instrument
comprises an aliquotter.
53. The method of claim 52 wherein the aliquotter is a closed tube
aliquotter.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of automated chemical
analyzers and related sample handling mechanisms.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Automated analyzers, including automated chemical analyzers
and automated immunodiagnostic instruments are widely used in
clinical chemistry sampling and analyzing applications. When using
these analyzers, samples are loaded into the device at a sample
presentation unit (i.e., a loading area) in primary sample
containers. Primary sample containers may take various forms, but
one typical primary sample container is a blood tube, such as the
tube 24 shown in FIG. 9. These tubes may be loaded into the
automated analyzer individually or in racks capable of holding
multiple tubes.
[0003] After being loaded into the automated analyzer, a sample is
typically aspirated from its primary sample container and dispensed
into one or more sample retention vessels for aliquot storage. For
example, in a typical automated analyzer, the samples delivered to
the sample retention containers are stored in a chilled storage
unit.
[0004] When the analytic unit of the automated analyzer is ready to
analyze a sample, the diagnostic instrumentation typically
aspirates from the aliquot and dispenses into a reaction vessel,
and the analytic unit performs an analysis of the sample within the
reaction vessel. Alternatively, in certain automated analyzers and
in certain situations, the diagnostic instrumentation may be
further configured to transfer the actual sample retention vessel
from the storage area to analytic unit. Accordingly, the sample
retention vessel serves as the reaction vessel in these
situations.
[0005] In the above-described analyzers, there is an original
transfer of sample from the primary sample container to the sample
retention vessels in order to store the sample. Because of this
original sample transfer, there is an unusable amount of fluid left
in the primary sample container (also referred to as "dead
volume"). In particular, the pipettor aspirating the sample can not
draw the entire volume of fluid from the primary sample container,
so some sample is wasted when a primary container with dead volume
is expelled from the analyzer. In addition, each time sample is
transferred from one container to another, dead volume results,
minimizing the amount of available sample. Many samples presented
to the automated analyzer have a very limited amount of fluid to
start with, so minimization of the dead volume is desired,
especially when multiple tests are to be conducted. An example of a
situation where only a small amount of sample may be available is a
blood sample from a pediatric patient where each drop of sample is
difficult and painful to obtain. Accordingly, it would be
advantageous to provide a chemical analyzer capable of minimizing
the number of sample transfers, thus reducing the amount of dead
volume for a given sample.
[0006] Another reason to reduce the number of sample transfers in
an automated analyzer relates to sample carryover. In particular,
when analyzing a given sample it is important that the sample
remains pure, and that no residual materials from a prior sample
are introduced into a subsequent sample. The primary methods to
address sample carryover include washing of the pipettor probe and
the use of disposable pipette tips. While these methods
significantly reduce sample carryover, they do not completely
remove all chances of sample carryover. However, if the automated
analyzer could be operated with fewer sample transfers, the chances
for sample carryover can be further reduced.
[0007] While an exemplary primary collection tube is shown in FIG.
9, not all primary sample containers holding original samples are
identical. The primary sample containers may have differing shapes
and sizes. In addition, some containers may be covered and some may
be uncovered. As set forth above, transferring samples from one
container to another is typically undesirable. Therefore, it would
be advantageous to provide an automated analyzer capable of
processing numerous shapes and sizes of primary sample containers.
It would also be advantageous if the analyzer were configured to
handle both covered and uncovered containers.
[0008] Medical professionals rely on automated analyzers to perform
multiple tests on multiple samples within a relatively short amount
of time. When some portion of an automated analyzer is not working,
important test results may be delayed. Thus it would be
advantageous to provide an automated analyzer having some redundant
capabilities such that samples may be still processed even if one
portion of the automated analyzer is inoperable.
[0009] Medical professionals also rely on automated analyzers to
perform differing tests on different samples. Often, a medical
professional may wish to process and/or analyze a first sample in
one way and a second sample in a different way. Therefore, it would
be advantageous to provide an automated analyzer having multiple
options for sample processing. It would also be advantageous if the
automated analyzer were configured for connection to another
analyzer such that samples could be shared between the analyzer,
thus offering the medical professional additional options for
processing and analysis.
SUMMARY
[0010] An automated analyzer is disclosed herein. The automated
analyzer is configured to receive and analyze samples provided to
the automated analyzer in primary sample containers. The automated
analyzer comprises a sample retention unit, at least one transport
device, and at least one aspiration device.
[0011] The sample retention unit of the automated analyzer is
configured to receive and retain a plurality of sample retention
vessels. The sample retention unit may comprise a sample storage
unit, an analytic unit, or other processing unit within the
automated analyzer that retains a sample for some purpose over some
period of time.
[0012] The transport device of the automated analyzer is configured
to receive a first primary sample container containing a first
sample and deliver the first primary sample container to the sample
retention unit as one of the plurality of sample retention vessels.
In one embodiment, the transport device comprises a pick-and-place
device configured to grasp the first primary sample container and
move it to the sample retention unit for further processing.
[0013] The aspiration device of the automated analyzer is
configured to receive a second sample from a second primary sample
container and deliver the second sample into one of the plurality
of sample retention vessels. In one embodiment, the aspiration
device comprises a pipettor configured to draw the second sample
from the second primary sample container and dispense the sample
into one or more sample retention vessels.
[0014] In addition to the above, the automated analyzer may
comprise a sample presentation unit configured to receive the
primary sample containers and automatically deliver the primary
sample containers to a transfer station within the automated
analyzer. The transfer station provides an area where a primary
sample container may be handled by the transport device or sample
within a primary sample container may be aspirated by the
aspiration device. Both the aspiration device and the transfer
device may be provided on a dual gantry robot which includes a
first carriage supporting the aspiration device and a second
carriage supporting the transport device.
[0015] The automated analyzer may further comprise a second
transport device configured to receive primary sample containers
from and deliver primary sample containers to the first transport
device. Accordingly, the second transport device may be configured
to transfer primary sample containers to and from a laboratory
instrument housed separate from the automated analyzer.
[0016] In one embodiment, the automated analyzer further comprises
an analytic unit configured to analyze the samples in the sample
retention vessels. The analytic unit may include a plurality of
reagent pipetting stations configured to transfer the samples from
the sample retention vessels and into reaction vessels and mix
reagents with the samples.
[0017] The disclosed automated analyzer provides for a method of
preparing samples for analysis. The method comprises first loading
a plurality of primary sample containers into an automated analyzer
that includes a sample retention unit configured to receive a
plurality of sample retention vessels. The sample retention unit
may be a sample storage unit, an analytic unit, or other processing
unit within the automated analyzer that retains a sample for some
period of time. A sample is retained within each of the plurality
of primary sample containers that are loaded into the automated
analyzer. After a first primary sample container of the plurality
of primary sample containers is loaded on the automated analyzer,
the first primary sample container is transferred into the sample
retention unit as one of the plurality of sample retention vessels.
After a second primary sample container is loaded on the automated
analyzer, the sample in the second primary sample container is
transferred into at least one of the plurality of sample retention
vessels in the sample retention unit. Thereafter, the sample in the
first primary sample container and the sample transferred from the
second primary sample container are analyzed or otherwise processed
within the automated analyzer.
[0018] In one disclosed embodiment, the above method includes
manually loading the plurality of primary sample containers into a
sample presentation unit and automatically delivering the plurality
of primary sample containers to a transfer station within the
automated analyzer. The step of transferring the first primary
sample container to the sample retention unit and the step of
transferring the sample from the second primary sample container to
the sample retention unit are performed at the transfer station
within the automated analyzer.
[0019] In another disclosed embodiment, the method step of loading
the plurality of primary sample containers into the automated
analyzer comprises receiving at least some of the plurality of
primary sample containers from a laboratory instrument housed
separate from the automated analyzer.
[0020] The above described features and advantages, as well as
others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description
and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the modules of an automated
analyzer;
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a top view of an aspiration device and
transport device provided on a gantry robot of the automated
analyzer of FIG. 1, with a storage unit positioned under the gantry
robot;
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the aspiration device and
transport device of FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged side view of the aspiration device
of FIG. 3;
[0025] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged side view of the transport device
of FIG. 4;
[0026] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the aspiration device and
transport device of FIG. 2 positioned at a transfer station of the
automated analyzer of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the aspiration device and
the transport device positioned over the storage unit of FIG.
2;
[0028] FIG. 8 shows a gripper assembly of a pick-and-place device
of the automated analyzer of FIG. 1; and
[0029] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary blood tube that may be used as a
primary sample container in the automated analyzer of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the basic structural and functional
modules of one embodiment of an automated analyzer 20 include a
sample presentation unit 30, a transfer station 40, a vessel feeder
50, an analytic unit 60, a sample aliquot storage unit 70, an
incubator/wash/read station 80, and a reagent storage 90. In
addition, the automated analyzer 20 includes an aspiration device
110 and a first transport device 120 in communication with the
transfer station 40. The aspiration device 110 and the first
transport device 120 are both provided on a gantry robot 100. A
second transport device 150 is also provided in communication with
the first transport device 100. An additional laboratory instrument
160 housed separate from the automated analyzer may be connected to
the automated analyzer and configured to receive and deliver
primary sample containers to the instrument.
[0031] General Structure of Automated Analyzer
[0032] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the sample presentation unit 30
is used to load primary sample containers 22 into the automated
analyzer 20 and to the transfer station 40. As used herein, the
term "primary sample container" refers to a container that is
loaded into the automated analyzer with a sample contained therein.
Primary sample containers may include, for example, blood tubes
where blood is initially placed after being drawn from a patient's
body. Such an exemplary primary sample container 22 is shown in
FIG. 9 in the form of a blood tube 24. The blood tube 24 may be
configured for seating in a tube rack (not shown). A cap, cork,
plug or other top 26 may be placed on the tube 24 to prevent
spillage or contamination of the sample within the tube.
[0033] With reference again to FIG. 1, the sample presentation unit
30 includes an onload section 32, a presentation section 34, and an
offload section 36. The primary sample containers 22 are manually
placed into the onload section 32, either individually or in racks.
After being placed in the onload section, the primary sample
containers 22 are automatically pushed to the presentation section
34 of the sample presentation unit. At the presentation section 34,
the primary sample containers 22 are automatically fed to the
transfer station 40 located within the housing of the automated
analyzer 20. When a primary sample container 22 passes into the
housing, a bar code reader 38 reads a bar code associated with the
primary sample container, such as a bar code affixed to the side of
the container. The bar code identifies how the primary sample
container 22 and its sample should be processed within the
automated analyzer. After a primary sample container is processed
within the automated analyzer 20, the primary sample container 22
is typically discarded. However, in some situations, the processed
primary sample container may be delivered to an offload station 36,
where the primary sample container may be manually removed from the
automated analyzer. Sample presentation units 30 for automated
analyzers, such as that described above, are generally known to
those of skill in the art. For example, one embodiment of a sample
presentation unit 40 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,413, which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, it
should be understood that other lab automation systems or automated
track conveyance systems may also used to load primary sample
containers and racks holding primary sample containers into the
automated analyzer 20.
[0034] The transfer station 40 receives primary sample containers
22 from the sample presentation unit 30. Accordingly, the transfer
station 40 includes a staging area which may include one or more
seats configured to receive primary sample containers or racks
holding the primary sample containers. Primary sample containers 22
delivered to the transfer station 40 may be initially processed in
different ways. For example, upon arrival at the transfer station
40, a primary sample container 22 may be handled by the first
transport device 120 and delivered to another location within the
automated analyzer 20. Alternatively, the primary sample container
may temporarily remain at the transfer station while the sample
provided within the primary sample Container is aspirated by the
aspiration device 110 at the transfer station. Following such
aspiration, the primary sample container 22 may be expelled from
the automated analyzer at the offload station, or may be passed on
to the first transport device 120 for further processing.
[0035] As set forth in the preceding paragraph, both the transport
device 120 and the aspiration device 110 are configured to interact
with primary sample containers at the transfer station 40. As
explained in further detail below, both the first aspiration device
110 and the first transport device 120 may be provided on a gantry
robot 100. The gantry robot 100 is configured to selectively move
either the aspiration device 110 or the transport device 120 to and
from the transfer station 40.
[0036] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the vessel feeder 50 of
the automated analyzer 20 is generally configured to receive sample
retention vessels and provide the sample retention vessels to one
or more sample retention units. As used herein, the term "sample
retention vessel" refers to a tube or other vessel that is
configured to be retained by one of the sample retention units of
the automated analyzer. The term "sample retention unit" refers to
a device, station or other unit of the automated analyzer
configured to receive sample retention vessels and store, analyze,
or otherwise process samples retained within the sample retention
vessels. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, both the analytic
unit 60 and the sample storage unit 70, as well as other units, may
be considered sample retention units. One of skill in the art will
recognize that sample retention vessels may take numerous forms and
configurations. For example, sample retention units may comprise
aliquot tubes as well as blood tubes, such as the blood tube 24
shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, it should be recognized that a
"primary sample container" loaded into the automated analyzer with
a sample may also be considered a "sample retention vessel" when
placed in a sample retention unit, such as the storage unit 70.
[0037] The vessel feeder 50 is configured to provide sample
retention vessels to sample retention units within the automated
analyzer, such as the sample storage unit 70 or the analytic unit
60. The vessels provided by the vessel feeder are typically empty
vessels held in bulk by the vessel feeder 50. Vessel feeders are
generally known to those of skill in the art. A description of the
configurations and functions of an exemplary vessel feeder 50 is
provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,412, which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety. However, it should be understood that
other vessel supply mechanisms capable of supplying sample vessels
are also suitable for use with the disclosed embodiment of the
automated analyzer 20.
[0038] The analytic unit 60 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to
receive and analyze samples. In the disclosed embodiment, the
analytic unit 60 includes four reagent pipetting stations 62, 64,
66, and 68, used to mix reagents with sample aliquots from sample
retention vessels for subsequent assay. A sample aliquot may be
transferred from the sample retention vessels into one or more
vessels referred to as "reaction vessels" in order to mix the
sample aliquot with one or more reagents. In some cases, a sample
aliquot may also be transferred from the sample retention vessel to
a reaction vessel without mixing the aliquot with reagents. The
pipetting stations 62, 64, 66, and 68 are independent to each
other, each having its own fluid pumps and valves, wash towers,
reaction vessel carriages, and pipettor. The reagent pipetting
stations have access to reagents that are stored in reagent storage
90. The individual structures and functions of the reagent
pipetting stations 62, 64, 66, and 68 are generally known to those
of skill in the art. For example, the reagent pipetting stations
used in the Access Instruments sold by Beckman Coulter, Inc., of
California.
[0039] Testing of samples within the sample retention vessels may
occur at various modules within the analytic unit 60, the
incubator/wash/read station 80 or elsewhere within the automated
analyzer. In some instances, testing of samples within sample
retention vessels may occur within off-board instruments connected
to the automated analyzer 20. Exemplary instruments configured to
test samples include clinical chemistry systems, immunoassay
systems, flow cytometers, and hematology analyzers. However, one of
skill in the art will recognize that numerous other instruments may
be used to perform testing and analysis of samples within the
sample retention devices.
[0040] The sample storage unit 70, as shown in FIG. 1, is used for
storing sample aliquots contained in the sample retention vessels.
In particular, the sample storage unit 70 is configured to store
sample aliquots in a controlled environment enclosure at a low
temperature for a certain period of time, so that the samples may
be used for analysis and testing. When a test is requested on a
patient sample, the test outcome may drive a request for additional
testing. This automatic request for additional tests is reflex
testing. The time delay from the first aspiration to knowing if
another test will be started can range to as long as 45 minutes or
more. To insure that the test materials do not evaporate or
deteriorate, the sample aliquots are enclosed and refrigerated in
the sample storage unit 70.
[0041] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the sample storage unit 70
generally comprises an outer housing 72 and an inner wheel 74. At
least one slot 76 is provided in the outer housing 72 to provide
access to the inner wheel. The inner wheel 72 includes a circular
plate with a plurality of holes 29 that provide seats for sample
retention vessels 28. The inner wheel 72 is configured to rotate
within the outer housing 72, allowing each individual sample
retention vessel 28 retained within the sample storage unit 70 to
be presented to the slot 76.
[0042] Returning again to FIG. 1, the automated analyzer 20 also
comprises a plurality of vessel transport devices, such as
transport devices 92, 94, and 96, which are used to transport
sample retention vessels among the various modules and sample
retention units of the automated analyzer 20. Each vessel transport
device 92, 94, 96 may be provided by a pick-and-place device. Each
pick-and-place device generally comprises a gripper assembly
provided on a gantry robot capable of moving the gripper assembly
along at least two axes.
[0043] An exemplary gripper assembly 170 is shown in FIG. 8. The
gripper assembly 170 includes an elongated body with a plurality of
flexible adjustable fingers 172 connected to a cylinder 174 in a
spaced apart relationship. The bottom ends of the fingers 172 form
a slotted circular opening 176 adapted to receive a vessel. The
cylinder 174 is held by a clamp 180 which, in turn, is connected to
a carriage riding upon a gantry robot (not shown in FIG. 8). A
plunger 178 moves within the cylinder and acts to open and close
the opening 176, allowing the fingers 172 to selectively grasp and
release vessels. Pick-and-place devices such as this are generally
known to those of skill in the art. An exemplary pick and place
device is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0102736,
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. However,
it should be understood that other pick-and-place devices capable
of transporting sample retention vessels and sample reaction
vessels may be used with the disclosed embodiment of the automated
analyzer.
[0044] As shown by the arrangement of FIG. 1, the first
pick-and-place device 92 is used to transport sample retention
vessels from the vessel feeder 50 to the sample storage unit 70 or
the analytic unit 60 and its pipetting stations 62, 64, 66 and 68.
The second pick-and-place device 94 is used to transport reaction
vessels between the analytic unit 60 and the incubator of the
incubator/wash/read station 80. The third pick-and-place device 96
is used to transport reaction vessels between the incubator wheel
and the wash wheel of the incubator/wash/read station 80.
[0045] Processing of Primary Sample Containers
[0046] As mentioned above, both the aspiration device 110 and the
first transport device 120 are configured to interact with primary
sample containers at the transfer station 40. With reference now to
FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the first aspiration device 110
and the first transport device 120 are provided on a gantry robot
100.
[0047] The gantry robot 100 is a Cartesian coordinate robot capable
of moving a robotic member along at least two axes. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gantry robot 100 includes a
horizontal support 102 member that provides a track that defines a
horizontal linear path of movement for the robot. A first carriage
104 and a second carriage 106 both ride upon the track. The first
carriage 104 supports the aspiration device 110 and the second
carriage 106 supports the transport device 120. Each carriage, 104,
106 can move from end to end of the horizontal support member, thus
positioning the aspiration device 110 or the transport device 102
at any location along the horizontal support 102, including above
the transfer station 40 near the front of the horizontal support
member, above the sample storage unit 70 near the middle of the
horizontal support member, or above an additional transport device
near the rear of the horizontal support member. Drive mechanisms
are provided to separately move the first carriage 104 and the
second carriage 106 upon the horizontal track with each carriage
moving independent of the other carriage. Such drive mechanisms for
gantry robot are known and will be recognized by those of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0048] A flexible connector member 108 is connected between the
horizontal support 102 and each carriage 104, 106. The flexible
connector members 108 retain conductors configured to deliver
electrical power and/or signals between electronic components
provided on the horizontal support 102 and the carriages 104, 106.
These electrical conductors 108 are joined to other electrical
conductors and related electrical components housed in control box
for the gantry robot. For example, a microprocessor configured to
deliver drive control signals, aspirator control signals, and
transport device control signals may be housed in the control
box.
[0049] Each carriage 104, 106 includes a member that engages the
track on the horizontal support 102 and a vertical arm that defines
movement of an attached component in the vertical direction. Thus,
the first carriage 104 includes a vertical arm 105 that defines
movement the aspiration device 110 in a vertical direction.
Likewise, the second carriage 106 includes a vertical arm 107 that
provides for movement of the transport device 120 in the vertical
direction. Therefore, in addition to moving to any position along
the horizontal support member 102, the aspiration device 110 and
the transport device 120 may also move up and down along a vertical
linear path of movement. Accordingly, each carriage 104, 106 is
provided with a drive mechanism that engages the vertical arm and
moves it up and down. Robotic arm and drive train arrangements
configured to move devices up and down on gantry robots are known
and will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0050] With reference now to FIG. 4, the aspiration device 110 is
shown upon an end of the horizontal support 102 of the gantry robot
100. The aspiration device is a pipettor assembly that includes a
mandrel 112 with a hole in the end. When a vacuum of the pipettor
assembly is applied to the mandrel, air is drawn into the mandrel
112. A pipette tip 114 is typically provided at the end of the
mandrel 112. The pipette tip 114 is the portion of the pipettor
that actually contacts the fluid to be aspirated. The pipette tips
114 are washable or disposable and are replaced between pipetting
operations to reduce the risk of contamination of the samples and
reagents engaged by the pipettor. Pipettors, such as the exemplary
pipettor shown in FIG. 4, are well known to those of ordinary skill
in the art, along with their construction and operation in relation
to gantry robots for automated laboratory devices.
[0051] With reference now to FIG. 5, the transport device 120 is
shown upon the end of the horizontal support 102 of the gantry
robot 100. The transport device 120 is shown as a pick-and-place
device that includes a gripper assembly 170 that rides upon the
vertical arm 107. The gripper assembly 170 may be the same as that
shown for the pick-and-place of FIG. 8. Accordingly with reference
to FIGS. 5 and 8, the gripper assembly 170 includes an elongated
body with a plurality of flexible spring fingers 172 connected to a
cylinder 174 in a spaced apart relationship. The bottom ends of the
spring fingers 172 are tapered and form a slotted circular opening
176 adapted to receive a vessel. The cylinder 174 is held by a
clamp 180 which, in turn, is connected to a carriage 106 riding
upon a gantry robot. A plunger 178 (see FIG. 8) moves within the
cylinder 174. When the fingers 172 are forced downward onto a
vessel, the spring fingers 172 spread apart and the top portion of
the vessel is received through the opening 176. After passing
through the opening 176, the vessel contacts the plunger 178 and
forces the plunger upward relative to the fingers 172. When the
plunger 178 is moved upward, an electromagnetic sensor detects its
movement and the system recognizes that a vessel is within the
grasp of the fingers 172. To release the vessel from the grasp of
the spring fingers 172, the plunger 178 is forced downward until
the top of the vessel passes through the opening 176.
[0052] As discussed above, both the aspiration device 110 and the
transport device 120 are independently moveable along the
horizontal support 102 of the gantry robot 100. Thus, as shown FIG.
6, both devices 110, 120 may be moved to one end of the horizontal
support. For example, both devices 110, 120 may be moved above the
transport station 40 and into position to handle or otherwise
engage a primary sample container and/or the sample contained
therein.
[0053] FIG. 7 shows the aspiration device 110 and the transport
device 120 positioned above the sample storage unit 70 of the
automated analyzer 20. The aspiration device 110 is positioned over
the slot 76 in the top of the sample storage unit housing 72. This
slot 76 provides access to the sample retention vessels 28
positioned within the sample storage unit 70, and allows the
aspiration device 110 to deliver samples into the sample retention
vessels 28 or draw samples from the sample retention vessels
28.
[0054] The transport device 120 is shown to the right of the
aspiration device in FIG. 7. The transport device 120 may also be
moved into position over the 76 slot in the sample storage unit
housing 72 to allow the transport device 120 to interact with the
sample storage unit 70. In particular, the gripper assembly 170 of
the transport device 120 may deliver primary sample vessels from
the transfer station 40 to the seats 29 in the wheel 74 of the
sample storage unit 70. Also, the gripper assembly 170 may remove
sample retention vessels 28 from the seats 29 in the wheel 74 of
the sample storage unit 70. The wheel 74 of the sample storage unit
70 is rotatable with respect to both the aspiration device 110 and
the transport device 120. This allows the sample storage unit 70 to
move any sample retention vessel within the sample storage unit
into position for interaction with the aspiration device 110 or the
transport device 120 mounted on the gantry robot 100.
[0055] Additional Transport Device
[0056] With reference again to FIG. 1, the gantry robot 100 is
shown intersecting with a rear transport device 150 on the
automated analyzer. Transfers between the gantry robot 100 and the
rear transport device occur at a secondary transport station 130.
The rear transport device 150 may be any of numerous transport
devices known in the art, including a shuttled carriage
arrangement, a pick-and-place device, a transport belt, a robotic
arm or other transport device. These and other transport devices
will be known to those of skill in the art. In any event, the rear
transport device 150 is configured to receive containers from the
gantry robot 100, including primary sample containers 22 or sample
retention containers 28, and deliver such containers to an
off-board laboratory instrument 160 housed separate from the
automated analyzer. After the containers are processed at the
off-board instrument, they may be returned to the rear transport
device 150 for delivery back to the gantry robot 100. The gantry
robot may then deliver the container to the appropriate location in
the automated analyzer for storage, analysis, or other
processing.
[0057] In one embodiment, the off-board instrument 160 comprises a
closed-tube aliquotter capable of obtaining an aliquot of a sample
in a primary retention container having a cap. In this embodiment,
open primary sample containers are loaded on the sample
presentation unit 30 and closed sample containers are loaded at a
loading station for the closed tube aliquotter. With reference to
FIG. 1, closed tube sample containers loaded at the loading station
162 of the closed tube aliquotter 160 are transported into the
instrument for further processing using transport device 164. After
a primary sample container is loaded into the closed tube
aliquotter, it is delivered to an aliquot station where the sample
in the primary sample container is split into a plurality of
aliquots in separate vessels. These vessels are then delivered to
the automated analyzer 20 as primary sample containers. In
particular, the vessels are exchanged between the automated
analyzer 20 and the off-board instrument 160 at a third transfer
station 140 where the rear transport device 150 of the automated
analyzer interacts with the transport device of the off-board
instrument 160. The rear transport device 150 accepts the vessels
from the closed tube aliquotter 160 and then delivers them to the
secondary transfer station 130 where the vessels may be grasped by
the pick-and-place device 120 and moved on to various units within
the automated analyzer 20 for further processing.
[0058] The above-described embodiment contemplates the use of
different loading stations/sample presentation units for closed and
open primary sample containers. However, other embodiments are
contemplated where a single loading station/sample presentation
unit is used to load both open and closed primary sample
containers. For example, in one embodiment, the aspiration device
110 may comprise a closed tube aliquotter capable of processing
both open and closed primary sample containers. In another
embodiment, both open and closed primary sample containers may be
loaded into the automated analyzer 20 at sample presentation unit
30 of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, when closed primary sample
containers are received at the transfer station 40, the transport
device 120 delivers the closed primary sample container to the
secondary transfer station 130 for handling by the rear transport
device 150. The rear transport device 150 then delivers the closed
primary sample container to the closed tube aliquotter 160 via the
third transfer station 140. As discussed above, the closed tube
aliquotter 160 includes its own transport devices, such as a
pick-and-place device, allowing the closed tube aliquotter to take
the closed primary sample container and deliver it to an aliquot
station. After the closed tube aliquotter splits the sample in the
original primary sample container into a plurality of aliquots,
each of the aliquots is returned to the rear transport device 150
as a subsequent primary sample container. These subsequent primary
sample containers are then transferred to the gantry robot 100 for
delivery to the sample storage unit, analytic unit 60, or other
sample retention unit within the automated analyzer.
[0059] As set forth above, by use of the additional transport
device 150, the automated analyzer 20 may be connected to an
off-board laboratory instrument 160 that provides further
functionality and options for the automated analyzer 20. For
example, in the disclosed embodiments, the rear transport device
150 allows the automated analyzer 20 to receive and process both
closed and open containers as well as containers of differing
sizes.
[0060] General Operation
[0061] In operation, the automated analyzer configured to receive
and process samples in a plurality of differently sized and shaped
containers. Different containers may be processed differently by
the automated analyzer, with some containers received into sample
retention units in the automated analyzer and samples in other
containers aspirated and then the containers expelled from the
automated analyzer. As discussed above, when the automated analyzer
is used in association with a closed tube aliquotter, both samples
in both open and closed containers may also be processed by the
analyzer.
[0062] With reference to FIG. 1, when using the automated analyzer
20, primary sample containers 22 having samples contained therein
are first loaded into a sample presentation unit 30. The sample
presentation unit 30 automatically delivers the primary sample
containers 22 to the transfer station 40. An aspiration device 110
and a transport device 120 are both provided on a gantry robot 100
that operates in proximity of the transfer station 40. Accordingly,
a sample within a primary sample container 22 may be aspirated from
the primary sample container at the transfer station 40. Following
aspiration, the aliquots of the sample are delivered to sample
retention vessels at a sample retention unit within the analyzer,
such as sample storage unit 70.
[0063] Alternatively, instead of sample aspiration at the transfer
station 40, the transport device 120 may grasp the primary sample
container 22 at the transfer station 40 and deliver the entire
primary sample container and its sample to a sample retention unit
within the automated analyzer. For example the primary sample
container 22 may be moved from the transfer station 40 to the
sample storage unit 70 as one of the plurality of sample retention
vessels held within the sample storage unit 70.
[0064] In any event, after a sample is moved from the transfer
station 40 by aspiration or movement of the primary sample
container, the sample is further processed by the automated
analyzer. The further processing may include, for example sample
storage, sample analysis, mixing the sample with a reagent, or
other sample processing.
[0065] Although the present invention has been described with
respect to certain preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by
those of skill in the art that other implementations and
adaptations are possible. Moreover, there are advantages to
individual advancements described herein that may be obtained
without incorporating other aspects described above. Therefore, the
spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to
the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.
* * * * *